Inflammation is your body’s response to injury and infection and enables your body to defend itself. We recognise inflammation on the surface of the body as local redness, swelling, heat and pain, which signals that a healing response has kicked in. This is completely healthy and the inflammation serves a purpose.
Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, can be dangerous. It’s becoming increasingly clear that chronic inflammation is the root cause of many serious illnesses including heart disease, many cancers, and Alzheimer’s Disease, says Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D.
Stress, lack of exercise, genetic predisposition and exposure to toxins can contribute to chronic inflammation, but dietary choices also play a large role.
Julie Daniluk R.H.N., author of Meals That Heal Inflammation, says there are foods that exaggerate inflammation because they themselves are irritants.
Foods to avoid:
| – Gluten | – Alcohol | – Milk | – Omega-6 Fatty Acids | |||
| – MSG | – Refined Grains | – Sugar | – Trans Fats |
Foods to eat more of:
| – Fatty Fish | – Ginger and Turmeric | – Beets | – Tart Cherries | |||
| – Lean Meat | – Garlic and Onions | – Nuts | – Berries | |||
| – Whole Grains | – Olive Oil | – Dark Leafy Greens |
An anti-inflammatory diet closely resembles the Mediterranean diet, which has been praised for its health benefits and its protection against many conditions influenced by inflammation. Research has shown that a strict adherence to an anti-inflammation diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, reduces the risk of heart disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and Cancer.
